Floating barrage

ABSTRACT

Floating barrage for containing oil spills and the like comprises components consisting of inflatable bags from each of which a plurality of overlapping interlinked panel members are suspended.

United States Patent Ducrocq et al.

FLOATING BARRAGE Inventors: Roger Ducrocq; Charles Moreau,

both of Clermont-Ferrand, France Assignee: Pneumatiques CaouthchoucManufacture Et Plastiques Kleber- Colombes, Colombes, France Filed:March 22, 1971 Appl. No.1 126,511

Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 20, 1970 France ..70l0268 U.S.C|...ll4/.5T,6l/1F Int. Cl. ..B63b 35/00 Field of Search ..1 14/5 T, .5 R;61/1 F 1 51 Jan. 30, 1973 [561 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,537,587 11/1970 Kain ..6l/l FX 3,134,923 5/1905 Galvaing ..114/5 T x3,592,006 7/1971 Crucet ..114/.5 T x Primary Examiner-Trygve M. BlixAttorney-Holcombe, Wetherill & Brisebois [57] ABSTRACT Floating barragefor containing oil spills and the like comprises components consistingof inflatable bags from each of which a plurality of overlappinginterlinked panel members are suspended.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FLOATING BARRAGE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to floating devices, hereinafter called floatingbarrages, which are especially adapted to surround a layer ofhydrocarbons or other debris which is floating on the surface of thewater.

In particular, the invention relates to those of such barrages whichcomprise an assembly of members each formed from an inflatable bag, agenerally flexible panel which is attached to the bag, and means such asa chain which simultaneously provides mechanical strength, towing means,and even ballast. Barrages of this type are hereinafter called pneumaticbarrages and the panels which serve to prevent the debris from passingbeneath the ring are referred to as barrier members.

Pneumatic barrages have great advantages over those in which thefloating members are made of a solid material such as wood, cork, or acellular product. In particular, for an equal buoyancy, and thus alsofor an equal projection above the surface of the water, they are lesscumbersome and lighter. However, none of pneumatic barrages heretoforeknown give entire satisfaction. In effect, while the flotation means ofnonpneumatic barriers might be subdivided so that they have all theflexibility desired, it would be impractical to subdivide the inflatablebags of the members which are attached together to form pneumaticbarriers, because the subdivided members would be expensive tomanufacture, the barrages would take a long time to place in position,and they would lose, to some extent at least, the advantage of having amaximum buoyancy for a minimum weight and bulk. This lack of flexibilityof pneumatic barriers not only means that they do not adequately fulfilltheir containing function when conditions are difficult but also meansthat since they are subjected to the action of waves and substantialpressures it is necessary to supplement them with appropriate mechanicalstrengthening means, and thus make them heavier, so that they therebylose some of their advantages.

It is the object of the present invention to provide pneumatic barrageswhich are more flexible than those presently in use and which, moreover,are subjected to smaller pressures and may therefore be lighter. Inother words, it is the object of the invention to provide pneumaticbarrages having all of the advantages which such barrages can possiblyhave.

Whereas in the pneumatic barrages presently known the containing wall,while flexible, is in each component of the barrage perpendicularlyattached to the inflatable bagalong its entire length, it is, in thebarrage and barrier members according to the invention, made of severalpanels which are each independently suspended from an inflatable bag sothat they are tangent to it, with the successive panels overlapping eachother and mounted so as to pivot with respect to each other, preferablyabout a single point.

The barrages and barrier members according to the invention will now bedescribed in greater detail with reference to the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one end of a barrier member according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken through the barrier member of FIG. 1 when inplace; and

FIG. 3 is a section through the barrier member of FIG. 1 when it is inplace and moving.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the barrage is formedby an assembly of members consisting of an inflatable bag 1, panels 2,and a chain 3 attached to the panels 2 by rings 4. (Only one part of thechain is shown.) The inflatable bag 1, which comprises a valve 8, ismade of a flexible material with a textile or metallic reinforcement ofany suitable type, the specific nature of which forms no part of theinvention, and takes the form of a flat tube when it is not inflated. Atits two ends it terminates in a solid part 5 which serves to attach theindividual bags together to form the complete barrage. For example,holes 6 in these end parts 5 are adapted to receive bolts, pins or otherattaching means.

Several panels 2 are attached to each inflatable bag. In order to keepthe barrage closed, the panels overlap each other over from 5 to 40percent of their width and preferably about 20 percent and their lateraledges are bevelled. For example, if the inflatable bag has a length of9.6 meter it may be provided with 10 panels having a width of 1.2 metersand overlapping, as indicated by the figure, for 20 percent of theirwidth. The panels 2 are sheets of a rubber or plastic material adaptedto the particular conditions of use and may comprise a textile ormetallic reinforcement.

Preferably, the reinforcing members are selected and positioned in amanner well known in the rubber industry so that the panels havesubstantial rigidity in the vertical direction and a certain flexibilityin a transverse direction.

Flexible strips 9 encircling the bag and having a length greater thanits periphery support the panels 2 which are attached thereto by meansof nuts and bolts 10, for example. Each panel is preferably supported byonly a single strip 9 so as to avoid imparting rigidity to theinflatable bag. The strips 9 may be made of textile or metallic clothcoated with a suitable plastic or rubber material and preferably are soconnected to the ballon as to be able to move slightly if the barrierundergoes substantial deformation.

The dirrerent barrier members are assembled to make a complete barrageby connecting the balloons to each other at their ends 6 and byfastening the chain 3 which extends along the entire length of thecompleted barrage to the panels 2 by means of the rings 4 passingthrough a link in the chain and the holes 11 in the bottoms of each twooverlapping panels. It will be noted that each panel 2 has at least onehole 11 in each of its two lower corners. The holes in these twosuccessive panels coincide in the overlapped portions and each ring 4which connects the chain to a panel also connects together twosuccessive panels so that they are mobile with respect to each other.These panels may be attached either to the same bag or to differentbags. The method of assembling the panels together and connecting thepanels to the chain is very simple and permits the panels to swing withrespect to each other. To this extent it forms part of the invention,but of course the invention is not limited to this particular method ofassembly. The chain 3 acts as connecting means but it also serves therole of ballast and traction means.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the barrage in place in calm waterand FIG. 3 shows the same barrage when it is being pulled in thedirection of the arrow 12.

In all cases the panel is placed on the same side of the bag as thepolluted layer.

The barrage, when in equilibrium in calm water, assumes the positionindicated in FIG. 2. The chain 3 then acts as ballast. In FIG. 3 thebarrage is being towed by the chain 3 in the direction of the arrow 12,for example to surround the polluted layer. As shown, it pivots and thepanels 2 curve in, their concavity being turned in the direction inwhich it is being pulled (arrow 12). The barrages according to theinvention, while pneumatic, have a flexibility such that they may assumevertical or horizontal curvatures without undergoing great stress. Thispermits them to deform and follow the movements of the surface of thesea. in effect, while in pneumatic barriers heretofore known theattachment of the containing ring to the lower generatrix of the bagalong its entire length resulted in an increase in the longitudinalrigidity of the bag, the division of this containing ring into severalindependent panels, and the attachment of these panels to the bag bycollars spaced one from the other, and the articulation of these panelswith respect to each other avoids increasing the longitudinal rigidityof the bag. It follows that the rigidity of each barrier member ispractically that inherent in the bag itself. Moreover, in the barragesaccording to the invention the inflated bag does not participate in orcontributes little to the containment function, which is essentiallyassured by the panels which extend beneath the surface of the waterto adesired distance. This permits the provision of a reinforcement whichneed not be as strong as that of the bags of the pneumatic barragesheretofore known in which the bags that are in direct contact with thepolluted mass and subject to the wear and tear of the flotsam andjetsam. For this reason, the bags of the barof the barrage.

What is claimed is:

l. Barrier member adapted to be assembled to form a floating barrage forretaining a layer of floating debris on the surface of the water, saidbarrier member comprising an inflatable bag and containment meansattached to this bag characterized by the fact that said containmentmeans is made of several panels independently suspended from the bag andtangent thereto, each of the said panels being overlapped by an adjacentpanel over only a portion of its length.

2. Barrier member as claimed in claim 1 in which the panels overlap.

3. Barrier member as claimed in claim 1 in which each panel is suspendedfrom the bag by means of a strip partially encircling the bag andcarrying the panel at its ends.

4. Barrier member as claimed in claim 1 in which a hole is provided ineach of the lower corners of each panel.

5. Barrier member as claimed in claim 1 in which the adjacent panels areconnected to each other so as to swing relative to each other about apoint positioned where the panels overlap.

6. Barrier member as claimed in claim 1 in which the inflatable bagterminates at each end in solid means adapted to receive connectingmeans.

7. Barrage formed by an assembly of barrier members according to claim 5in which a chain serving as traction means and as ballast extendsunderneath the barrage along its entire length and is connected to thepanels at the points at which successive panels pivot so as to avoidinterfering with said pivotal movement.

8. Barrage formed by an assembly of barrier members according to claim 1comprising a chain extending beneath the barrage along its entire lengthand connected to the panels by means of rings passing through a link inthe chain and holes in the lower corners of the overlapping panels.

1. Barrier member adapted to be assembled to form a floating barrage forretaining a layer of floating debris on the surface of the water, saidbarrier member comprising an inflatable bag and containment meansattached to this bag characterized by the fact that said containmentmeans is made of several panels independently suspended from the bag andtangent thereto, each of the said panels being overlapped by an adjacentpanel over only a portion of its length.
 1. Barrier member adapted to beassembled to form a floating barrage for retaining a layer of floatingdebris on the surface of the water, said barrier member comprising aninflatable bag and containment means attached to this bag characterizedby the fact that said containment means is made of several panelsindependently suspended from the bag and tangent thereto, each of thesaid panels being overlapped by an adjacent panel over only a portion ofits length.
 2. Barrier member as claimed in claim 1 in which the panelsoverlap.
 3. Barrier member as claimed in claim 1 in which each panel issuspended from the bag by means of a strip partially encircling the bagand carrying the panel at its ends.
 4. Barrier member as claimed inclaim 1 in which a hole is provided in each of the lower corners of eachpanel.
 5. Barrier member as claimed in claim 1 in which the adjacentpanels are connected to each other so as to swing relative to each otherabout a point positioned where the panels overlap.
 6. Barrier member asclaimed in claim 1 in which the inflatable bag terminates at each end insolid means adapted to receive connecting means.
 7. Barrage formed by anassembly of barrier members according to claim 5 in which a chainserving as traction means and as ballast extends underneath the barragealong its entire length and is connected to the panels at the points atwhich successive panels pivot so as to avoid interfering with saidpivotal movement.